MINING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 237, 15 August 1872, Page 8

MINING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

The Sydney correspondent of the " Otago Daily Times " writes as follows regarding the above subject, as discussed in New South Wales :— ■" The other subject disposed of for the session was that of mining on private property, which was introduced in the form of resolutions submitted by Mr. Parker, the member for the Southern Goldfields. They were no means thoroughly discussed, but enough was said to show that there was a great contrariety of opinion both as to the law and as to policy. The Government lawyers argued that the Crown retained its right to the precious metals, but admitted that it could not prospect, and that compensation was due for all damage. Mr. Robertson and Mr. Fitzpatrick both contended that the Crown had unreservedly waived its right, and if there waß to be any reentry on alienated lands, it must be by resumption of the freehold, with compensation. The Solicitor- General proposed to shelve the discussion by the previous question, but the House decided, by the casting vote of the Speaker, that the question should be put, and put it was accordingly, and rejected by a large majority. The Government, however, has promised to take the matter under its consideration."

From the " Melbourne Argus " we take the following epitome of the Mining on Private Property Bill : — " The Bill provides that mining on private property shall be carried on according to the usual regulations in force with regard to mining on Crown land. Where the Crown thinks fit to compensate the owners of land and resume possession of it, such land will be declared Crown lands, and be subject to the Mining Statute, and all laws now in force for the regulation of mining. In the point of fact, any land so resumed by the Crown will be in the position of any Crown lands on a goldfield at the present moment. All mining on private property will be carried on by means of leases, whether the mines are worked by the owner himself, or some agent or other person. The leases will be granted by the Crown to any applicant, under certain conditions. The charge will be nominal one, but sufficient to show that the Crown asserts a right to the precious metals, and retains its interest in them. The leases will have the usual couditions, but there will be an especial provision for recovery, so that private land taken up by persons who intend to mine upon it shall not be shepherded, but shall be worked for the public benefit, as well as for the benefit of the lessees. For the purpose of carrying out these leases, regulations will be

promulgated by the Mining Department providing the mode in which applications should be made, the mode in which enquiries should be conducted, and so forth. In all cases where the owner, or any person authorised by hiir, has 1 em and now is mining upon land, such land will be legalised for the owner or the person mininsr on it, if application if made to the Minister of Mines within six months. In all cases where there are contracts for mining on private property, such contracts will be legalised. These contracts must be registered within six months of the time of the introduction of this Bill, and the lease must also be obtained within six months. If an owner of land in the future desires to mine, he will have the same opportunity as anyone else of applying to the Minister of Lands and obtaining a lease. In cases where leases are forfeited for laches of the lessees, the ground will revert to the owner, and be subject to further application. Provision is made for legalising mining under public resei yes with the consent of the trustees. Valuable property will not be disturbed by the provisions of this Bill, because the compensation will be so high as to prevent any person from either asking for or expecting to obtain properties of this class."

Ingpen, who was recently convicted at Invercargill for the embezzlement of Government moneys, held the offices of Clerk to the Bench, Registrar of the Supreme Court, "Registrar of Births. Deaths, and Marriages and

Returning Oflßcer for Invercargill and Mataura. He was also Trustee of the Court of Law Trust Fund. Yet, though so overburdened with offices, it waß stated in evidence by the Resident Magistrate, and by the Collector of Customs that Ingpen was not a man of average capacity in business, and that he was dull at accounts. The question arises, how do such men get into the Government offices? The question is worth investigation.

Toe following letter, signed Na Hnkaraia Te Huaki, appears in the " Waikato Times " :— " Ngaruawahia, July 12, 1872. Notice.— To all the people on the Waikato and Waipa Rivers. — Friends, do not work on Sunday, for our Lord Jesus Christ's sake; neither Kupapa nor Hauhau, if you see this notice, and the man who works on Sunday will be fined five shillings. You think about this notice. This is all from your friendv" On this the "Times" remarks:— "lt will be seen by a letter in another column that all the sense of right has not deserted our Maori fellow-subject, although neglected of late by their former teachers, the Missionaries."